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Four local entities have received close to $10 million in grant funding from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to carry out projects in the areas of music, gender, youth development and science.

The recipients are Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) for the revival of mento music; Institute of Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) for research into contemporary masculinities; Jamaica Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations for engaging youth in UNESCO-related activities; and the Jamaica National

Executive Director of JCDC, Dr. Delroy Gordon, who spoke on behalf of the recipients, said the $2,580,000 (US$20,000) that his entity received will go a far way in aiding the revival of mento bands in Jamaica.

Four local entities have received close to $10 million in grant funding from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to carry out projects in the areas of music, gender, youth development and science.

The recipients are Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) for the revival of mento music; Institute of Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI) for research into contemporary masculinities; Jamaica Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centres and Associations for engaging youth in UNESCO-related activities; and the Jamaica National

Commission (JNC) for UNESCO for its project geared at supporting the establishment of a new Caribbean Biosphere in the World Network of Biospheres.

She said that despite UNESCO budget cuts, Jamaica managed to secure a 10 per cent increase in financial support for projects from the organisation over the 2014/15 period.

“I believe that this has a lot to do with the work of our team at the (Jamaica) National Commission as well as the quality of the projects that we were able to endorse for funding consideration this year,” said Ms. Grange at the cheque handover ceremony at her office in New Kingston on November 23.

She noted that the support is also a signal of the strong relations between UNECSO and Jamaica.

“We stand with UNESCO and we see its support over the last 20 years as an investment in our people, which is providing great returns,” the Minister said. She commended the recipients for having received funding for their projects.

Executive Director of JCDC, Dr. Delroy Gordon, who spoke on behalf of the recipients, said the $2,580,000 (US$20,000) that his entity received will go a far way in aiding the revival of mento bands in Jamaica.

“In order to keep this going, we needed to train youngsters. Five mento bands in four regions will be trained,” he indicated.

Dr. Gordon thanked UNESCO for the support, and pledged that the money will be spent wisely.

The grant funding was provided under UNESCO’s Participation Programme.

The initiative provides a means of supporting the national, subregional or regional activities of member states that are in line with the organisation’s regular programme priorities.